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Mourinho reveals he promised to buy £800 (GH₵5,534) worth of shoe for Ghana’s Afena-Gyan before scoring two goals

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Mourinho reveals he promised to buy £800 (GH₵5,534) worth of shoe for Ghana’s Afena-Gyan before scoring two goals

The youngster repaid Jose Mourinho’s faith by scoring two incredible goals which helped Roma to recover from their poor run of form

Jose Mourinho pulled a big gamble on Sunday when he introduced Ghanaian young striker Felix Afena-Gyan against Geno in Seria A and it worked to perfection.

With Roma in dire need of goals and three points, Mourinho brought on Gyan with only fifteen minutes left to be played and the Ghanaian repaid his faith in a grand style.

The 18-year-old first shot Roma ahead by the 82nd minute after he was set by Herinkh Mkhitaryan before he scored a screamer to get the whole stadium buzzing.

And Mourinho has revealed that the young striker chose to run to him and celebrate the first goal because he wanted to remind him of his promises.

“I had promised to buy Felix the boots he really likes, which are really expensive, they cost €800, so he ran over and told me not to forget! Tomorrow morning, the first thing I do is buy him the boots,” Mourinho told DAZN.

“I am sorry for Mister De Rossi and the Primavera squad, but Felix will stay with us. The Primavera work close to us, so Felix and another four or five players have come across to the senior squad.

“What impressed me the most was his cool head in front of goal. If he is not in terms of technique fantastic, he does have a strong mentality.

“You get these kids now who think they know everything, but he is humble and you can sense he just absorbs all this information from everyone around him. That’s fantastic.”

Mourinho also admitted that Roma were badly hit by injuries and sicknesses before the game as they were without a proper leck back.

“It was a tough game, but we dominated possession, controlled it, perhaps lacked something along the vertical lines.

“Mkhitaryan had a fantastic game in that role, we were always in control, preventative marking neutralised the Genoa counter-attacks and they sat even deeper in the second half.

“At that moment, I felt Felix had a different profile and could make the difference, just as he did against Cagliari and Milan. He caused them problems with his energy, physicality and did it again.

“When he comes on, he changes the dynamics of the team. We had worked really hard, moved the ball very well and Stephan El Shaarawy made an incredible effort to adapt to this type of tactical work.

“Felix has this type of intensity, he presses the opposition, forces them to make mistakes and gave a different intensity to the side. I saw Eldor Shomurodov was running out of steam and I always felt we would win, although at times the possibility of a draw did flash across my mind. It would’ve been frustrating, but also positive for the performance.

Nicolò Zaniolo was left on the bench throughout the match after reports this week of clashes between the young player and Mourinho in training.

“The truth is this squad was not built to play this system. I think Nico could’ve played upfront more than midfield, but Genoa were playing for a point and reducing all the spaces, so it would’ve been difficult for him. I thought Felix was more suited to the situation, as he is more direct and vertical.

“I watch everything from the touchline and I was really struck by how everyone on the bench celebrated the goals. Zaniolo could’ve been sitting there with a negative attitude, but I felt the complete opposite. That means he is a team player and on Thursday or Sunday he will have the opportunity to play.”

Mourinho famously called himself the ‘Special One’ and took some time to pat himself on the back this evening too, especially as he took the media for a ride.

“I said in the press conference yesterday that all the work we did this week in training went in the bin, but it wasn’t true… I had the feeling Mkhitaryan could do everything he did tonight with his technique and experience. The only thing he didn’t do was score, but in my view he was Man of the Match.

“We had three midfielders who love the ball and they did a great job, I am very happy with this option. It’s one of those days when a coach goes home and feels really pleased with himself, because it all worked!”

This was the debut on the Genoa bench and in club football for new coach Andriy Shevchenko, who worked with Mourinho at Chelsea.

“Before kick-off, he gave me a bottle of red wine, which is a traditional gift in English football for the home coach. I also had a chat with (assistant manager Mauro) Tassotti. I am happy for me, disappointed for him, one day those positions will be changed and he will feel bad for me, happy for him.

“The great thing is that he is in love with this sport and the role of a coach. You have to be crazy about it to do this job and he is crazy about it.”

October 27, 2021: Afena-Gyan makes his professional debut against Cagliari

Gyan on his Instagram story after the match: “Forever grateful sir, I’m going to make you proud”

November 21, 2021: Subbed on late against Genoa in a 0-0 game and scores a brace to help Roma win 2-0.


WATCH FELIX AFENA-GYAN’S GOALS BELOW:

How Jose Mourinho became a coach – from Interpretor to world class coach:

Video: Afena Gyan scores BRACE for Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma to defeat Genoa in Seria A

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Video: Afena Gyan scores BRACE for Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma to defeat Genoa in Seria A

The youngster rose from the substitute bench to announce his presence to the world as he scored a brace very late in the game

Ghanaian striker Felix Afena-Gyan scored twice when AS Roma defeated Genoa 2-0 in Seria A on Sunday to breathe life back into their title challenge.

With Jose Mourinho’s side missing Bryan Cristante and Gonzalo Villar due to COVID-19, while Matias Vina, Riccardo Calafiori and Leonardo Spinazzola were also out of the game because of injury, Roma began the game with a 3-5-2.

However, things didn’t work as Roma were struggling to break down the bulwark defence of Genoa. Therefore, Mourinho opted to throw young Afena-Gyan into the fray although he had Nicolo Zaniolo on the bench.

Afena-Gyan came on in the 75th minute and quickly exerted himself in the game as he created spaces to cause troubles to Genoa’s defence.

He then shot Roma ahead by the 82nd minute after he was played through by Henrikh Mkhitaryan before wrapping it up with a beautiful long range effort very deep in additional time to win the day for Roma.

The former Berekum Presbyterian Senior High School student latched onto the ball on the left wing and went past his marker before he unleashed a thunderbolt from almost 30 yards away to score and win the day for Roma.

Afena-Gyan was mobbed by his teammates and technical team as Roma celebrated a famous win.

Meanwhile, Afena-Gyan’s countryman Caleb Ekuban also played for Genoa but he couldn’t find the back of the net for his side and new coach Andriy Shevchenko.

Mourinho’s side have now moved up to fifth place with 22 points, three points behind Atalanta who occupy fourth place and the last slot for Uefa Champions League qualification.

Samuel Boadu blames Hearts of Oak defeat to Ashanti Gold and poor form on fatigue

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Samuel Boadu blames Hearts of Oak defeat to Ashanti Gold and poor form on fatigue

The Phobians head coach admits his players are showing signs of fatigue very early this season due to too many games

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu has blamed fatigue for his side’s poor run of form in the Ghana Premier League following their 2-0 defeat to Ashanti Gold at the Len Clay Sports Stadium in Obuasi on Sunday.

After sharing the spoils in all their previous three games before heading to Obuasi, the Phobians held Ashanti Gold in the first half and could have even gone ahead if Patrick Razak was clinical.

However, Ashanti Gold turned the game on its head after the break as Yaw Annor and Abdul Salam scored two brilliant goals to compound their woes.

The defeat has now put them in a precarious situation on the log as Hearts sit 15th on the log with three points and trail their arch rivals Asante Kotoko by nine points.

“I always keep saying that there is fatigue which is affecting players,” Boadu said after the game.

“In the first half, we played well but after recess you could see the boys were very tired and could not even pass and distribute balls.

“We have a long way to go and it is not yet over. This is a competition so we are in it and will push harder to climb the ladder” he added.

Hearts will now switch attention to continental assignment next weekend as they are scheduled to host Algerian club JS Souara in the playoffs of Caf Confederation Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.

They will travel to Casablanca the next month for the return fixture in a bid to secure a place in the group stage berth.

Ashanti Gold 2-0 Hearts: Annor & Salam condemn Phobians to worse title defence

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ashanti Gold 2-0 Hearts: Annor & Salam condemn Phobians to worse title defence

The Phobians could not end their poor start of the season as thet have been condemned to 15th on the log

Ashanti Gold defeated Hearts of Oak 2-0 in matchday four of Ghana Premier League at the Len Clay Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Two second half goals from Yaw Annor and Abdul Salam helped the Miners to worsen Hearts of Oak’s woes as they have gone four games without a win.

Samuel Boadu made only one change in the Hearts squad that shared the spoils with Aduana last week as goalkeeper Richard Attah returned to the post after his involvement with Ghana during the international break.

The Phobians were the first that had the brightest opportunity to open the lead by the 16th minute. Midfielder Patrick Razak went past the Ashanti Gold goalkeeper but he could not score despite having the yawning net at his mercy.

Four minutes later, Hearts forward Kofi Kordzi forced a save from Ashanti Gold goalkeeper Kofi Mensah and the shot-stopper picked up an injury in the process. He was replaced by Dennis Votere.

After the break, Hearts appealed for a penalty by the 47th minute but referee Latif Adari waved on as he wasn’t interested in any of their concerns.

Four minutes later, Ashanti Gold opened the scoring through Yaw Annor. The speedster connected a pass from his teammate and calmly finished it off beyond the reach of goalkeeper Attah.

Although, Hearts probed and caused several problems to Ashanti Gold’s defence, they could not find a decent chance to equalise.

Things moved from bad to worse for the Phobians on the stroke of full time after substitute Abdul Salam scored another goal to make it 2-0.

The results means that Hearts have gone four games without a win and have only three points from a possible twelve.

“I’m not under any pressure, expect more incredible performance from me,” Kotoko’s Isaac Oppong assures fans

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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“I’m not under any pressure, expect more incredible performance from me,” Kotoko’s Isaac Oppong assures fans

The youngster hopes that he will continue his good run of form after scoring the winner against Eleven Wonders

Asante Kotoko youngster Isaac Oppong is enjoying a purple patch of form after joining the Porcupine Warriors this season from Bectaro Sasana.

The 18-year-old has scored three goals and assisted two after four games which has drawn a lot of praise especially from Kotoko’s supporters and legends.

However, Oppong insists that it has not added any pressure to his game and feels he is even yet to explode.

“Please no, it does not give me any pressure, Yes [you will see more of me this season],” Oppong told the StarTimes after the game.

“I see that [my game] is good and I will like to thank my teammates and coach. They are helping me.

“The training I had during my formative years and when I came to Kotoko the coach [ Prosper Narteh Ogum] is helping me and he teaches me how to score and that is the reason [for my good performance] at the moment. I hope it continues,” he added.

Kotoko have picked four wins out of four games and now lead the log with twelve points, three points more than King Faisal who stay second on the log.

Aduana Stars 5-1 RTU: Agyei, Emmanuel Gyamfi & others on target as Fire Club annihilate returnees to pick first victory

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Aduana Stars 5-1 RTU: Agyei, Emmanuel Gyamfi & others on target as Fire Club annihilate returnees to pick first victory

The Ogya Boys annihilated Real Tamale United in a replay of the game that was rained off yesterday in Dormaa Ahenkro

Aduana Stars picked their first win of the season after they demolished Real Tamale United 5-1 at NAB Park in Dormaa Ahenkro on Sunday.

After the game was rained off on Saturday while the scoreline stood 1-1, Aduana Stars recovered from their initial slumber and won the game in a fascinating manner.

The game continued on the 64th minute since it was at this point that rains stopped the game on Saturday.

Eric Kwakwa sent Aduana ahead on Sunday morning by the 75th minute. The former Medeama midfielder made RTU pay for a defensive blunder.

On 83rd minute, Yahaya Mohammed doubled Aduana’s lead with a calm finish. The striker who has been battling with injuries, latched on to a pass from Bright Agyei and sent his effort perfectly into the yawning net. This goal marked Yahaya’s 19th goal in his last 32 league appearances.

Emmanuel Gyamfi made it 4-1 by the two minutes later after the former Asante Kotoko deputy captain was played through. The goal marked his second of the campaign.

Adjei scored Aduana’s last goal of the day and his second in the game, with the last kick after he connected a good pass from his teammate.

Aduana after the victory have moved eight places to sixth position with five points.

Ghana’s Alfred Duncan scores against AC Milan in seven-goal thriller

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ghana’s Alfred Duncan scores against AC Milan in seven-goal thriller

The midfielder scored one of the goals that secured Fiorentina the win against AC Milan

Ghana midfielder Alfred Duncan was on target when Fiorentina defeated AC Milan 4-3 in Serie A at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence on Saturday.

It was Duncan opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark following a terrible mistake by AC Milan goalkeeper. That was the Ghanaian’d first goal since August 2020.

Few minutes later, Riccardo Saponara added another goal to stretch Fiorentina’s lead.

After the break, Dusan Vlahovic connected a through ball from Duncan and sent his last ditch effort beyond the Milan goalkeeper to make it 3-0 by 60th minute.

While Fiorentina were thinking that they were home and dry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two quick goals within five minutes to bring back Milan in the game.

However, Vlahovic restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage in the 85th minute to dash Milan’s hope of staging am incredible comeback.

Although, Milan laboured to still pull another goal back, it was too little too late to save them from defeat.

Earlier on Saturday, Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Gyasi was also in action for Spezia Calcio who were defeated 4-1 by Atalanta.

Why Fifa will exonerate Ghana and punish South Africa for lodging match fixing protest

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Why Fifa will exonerate Ghana and punish South Africa for lodging match fixing protest

The South Africans only courted for public sympathy to cover up their bad performance as they have failed to qualify to the Afcon and World Cup in one year

Following the purported protest by the South African Football Association after the WC Qualifier with Ghana, I swiftly brushed off the calls of the SAFA insisting that they were not serious and that they were just making noise.

The media gimmickry from the SAFA was only to achieve one purpose; take off pressure from South Africans from the shoulders of the SAFA.

The Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the 2022 AFCON and failing to qualify for the WC playoff stage meant they weren’t going to the world cup, and that in turn means South Africans won’t forgive the Danny Jordaan-led association.

So the SAFA felt they had a good platform of shifting the pressure from South Africans by ringing the protest bell.

Even before the response of the Ghana FA, I had said on my submissions on several Radio and TV stations both in Ghana and South Africa that their calls lacked merit and now it’s clear.

After the response from the Ghana FA to FIFA after the world football governing body requested the GFA to respond, the following are clear:

  1. South Africa never lodged an official protest to FIFA. They were only paying lip service. This is because FIFA says if u have a protest;
  • Write it formally. They didn’t.
  • Pay protest fee. They didn’t.
  • Do all these within 24 hours. They didn’t.
  1. The SAFA claimed ‘Match Fixing’ but failed to name who fixed the match and with who. If a match is fixed, fixers. They failed to name who and who fixed the match.
  2. The SAFA claimed ‘Match Manipulation’ but failed to mention who and who manipulated the match. Certainly, if u claim a match has been manipulated, then someone did it. Who was that? The SAFA failed to name that person.
  3. The SAFA also mentioned bribery and corruption in the game but again, failed to name who bribed who.

Clearly, you could sense from the very day they sent their supposed protest to FIFA that they were just drowning and were desperately looking for anything to save them from sinking.

To my fellow brothers in South Africa, the SAFA has deceieved you into believing that they had a case when in actual fact, they didn’t even file an official protest.

How on earth, will a whole body like SAFA, go to the MC of the game and just say we want to lodge a protest without even writing something on paper to show they are in for business?

How on earth will the SAFA write to FIFA when they had not lodged any written protest with the MC as stipulated by Article 14(2) of the 2022 WC Regulations?

Isn’t it unpardonable for a whole body like SAFA to write to FIFA without any evidence to support their claims, and then indicate they will tender in evidence in 72 hours when in actual fact it must be done in 24 hours?

Does it mean the SAFA did not even know the regulations governing the competition?

Why will they spend hours organising pressers and issuing warnings to Ghana when the basic things needed to be done had not even been attended to?

Can the SAFA be taken serious from hence? With this, I doubt because even before the game, they didn’t even know that Ghana needed just a simple win to qualify. They were thinking Ghana had to score more than a goal to go through.

Clearly, all the noise they made on radio and tv in South Africa with analysis of 90% of fouls going against the Bafana Bafana in the game were all geared towards courting public sympathy from South Africans and nothing else.

Will I be magnanimous to say the SAFA is confused?

– Tophic Seinu

Ghana’s Isaac Dogbe defeats Christopher Diaz to close in on Featherweight title [HIGHLIGHTS]

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ghana’s Isaac Dogbe defeats Christopher Diaz to close in on Featherweight title [HIGHLIGHTS]

The Ghanaian has renewed his ambition to reclaim the Featherweight title following a narrow win over Diaz in Las Vegas on Saturday

Ghanaian boxer Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe defeated Christopher Diaz in a split decision on Saturday night to remain in contention for a featherweight world title next year.

The former IBF champion has been struggling in recent months but he brought out his A-game to narrowly defeat Christopher Diaz in what many pundits believe it was arguable.

The Ghanaian began the bout very slow, but he picked up the pace and had some success during the second half of the 10-rounder on the Terence Crawford-Shawn Porter undercard.

Apart from judge Eric Cheek who scored the action even, 95-95, the other two judges – Tim Cheatham (96-94) and Don Trella (97-93) – scored their fight for Ghana’s Dogboe at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena.

Puerto Rico’s Diaz (26-4, 16 KOs) had hoped to revitalize his career by defeating Dogboe (23-2, 15 KOs) in his first fight since Navarrete stopped him in the 12th round of their fight for Navarrete’s WBO featherweight title April 24 in Kissimmee, Florida. Navarrete previously defeated Dogboe twice in 122-pound championship matches.

Dogboe tried to press Diaz during the 10th round, but he had trouble catching Diaz with flush punches. He landed a straight right in the final minute of the fight, though, and repeatedly threw hard shots at Dogboe’s body.

Dogboe landed a counter left on the inside about 40 seconds into the ninth round.

A left hook by Diaz knocked Dogboe off balance with just over 20 seconds to go in the eighth round. Approximately 10 seconds later, a clash of heads caused a brief break in the action and prompted Caiz to warn Dogboe for leading with his head.

Out of a southpaw stance, Dogboe landed a straight left that backed up Diaz about 1:20 into the seventh round.

Dogboe had a very strong sixth round after having difficulty catching Diaz with flush punches in the first five rounds.

Barely 30 seconds into the sixth round, Dogboe landed a right hand that caused Diaz to hold him. With just under two minutes remaining in the sixth round, Dogboe drilled Diaz with a thudding left to his body.

With about 40 seconds to go in the sixth round, Dogboe landed another left to Diaz’s body and followed with a right hand up top that made Diaz retreat.

Diaz snapped back Dogboe’s head by landing a hard jab with just over a minute to go in the fifth round.

Diaz connected with a counter left hook toward the end of the fourth round. With just over a minute to go in the fourth round, Dogboe snuck in a hard left to Diaz’s body.

Diaz landed a right hand that made Dogboe move away from him with just over 20 seconds on the clock in the third round.

Diaz worked well off of his jab and avoided most of Dogboe’s power punches during the opening round.

Asante Kotoko 2-0 Eleven Wonders: Boateng and Oppong on target as Porcupines strengthen grip of top spot

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Asante Kotoko 2-0 Eleven Wonders: Boateng and Oppong on target as Porcupines strengthen grip of top spot

The Porcupine Warriors recorded their fourth straight win in the new season as well as keeping a new clean sheet

Asante Kotoko defeated Techiman Eleven Wonders 2-0 in matchday four of Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Saturday evening.

Goals from new signings Samuel Boateng and Isaac Oppong silenced the vociferous away fans.

Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh has made only a change in his squad that played against Gold Stars last weekend.

With the exception of Maxwell Agyemang who was dropped to the substitute bench, everyone was available. Captain Ismail Ganiu has come in for Agyemang after he returned from international break with Ghana.

It was Wonders that first tested Kotoko goalkeeper Razak Abalora after Isaac Kwain sent in a drive by the third minute but his effort was saved.

Three minutes later, Lamptey connected a rebound from Christopher Nettey’s shot but his effort went wide.

On the ninth minute, Abalora was called upon to save Kotoko once again as Abass Ganiu’s long range shot was palmed away.

Kotoko finally found an opening to take the lead by the half-hour mark following a defensive blunder by Wonders. Mudasiru Salifu latched on to a loose ball and the midfielder sent a through ball to Samuel Boateng who calmly sent his effort beyond the reach of the onrushing goalkeeper.

Kotoko were forced to make a change on the brink of half time following an injury sustained by Lamptey. Cameroonian striker George Mfegue Rodrigues was introduced into the game.

On 54th minute, Boateng was presented with an opportunity to double Kotoko’s advantage but his shot was blocked before Isaac Oppong fluffed another opportunity two minutes later.

Kotoko finally doubled their lead by the 75th minute through Oppong. The youngster went past his marker and with Wonders goalkeeper anticipating a cross or cut back, the striker beat him with a fine finish to send the home supporters into wild jubilation.

Kotoko now lead the log with twelve points, three points more than King Faisal who stay second on the log.

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